Host a Youth Conference on Climate Change

It is easy and will have a lasting impact. Schools will be accepted first-come first-serve.

Why youth?

Our youth will inherit climate change. Although impacts are being felt now, more troubling effects are projected to occur in the next 50 -100 years.

What can youth expect? More severe weather events, the spread of disease, and water shortages, to name a few. Youth will inherit the outcomes of all our current decisions and actions to address climate change.

Finally, youth will inherit the habits and mindsets that led to climate change unless they understand how greenhouse gas emissions – individual and societal – are created, and how they can be reduced.

They need the information and skills to communicate their stand on climate change, as well as be a part of the solution, now and in the future.

What happens at the conference?

Youth Conferences are day-long events. The day can be tailored to the schools wants and needs.

Here is an example of a successful conference:

During the morning, the participants hear from experts about climate change issues, impacts, and solutions. The morning also consists of interactive games and personal pledges.

During the afternoon, the students focus on skill building and action planning. The afternoon provides participants with lots of time to interact, work in groups, and learn how they can take action at home and in their schools.

Who should attend?

If the conference is at your school, you can decide the number of students and who is invited. Some schools like to select students to attend (one grade, class representatives, geography students, etc.) and others have provided the conference for the whole school.

Both ways work fine. Some sessions selected would require small group numbers but we can make anything work.

How much does the conference cost?

Most conferences will have minimal cost. Typically, lunches for partipants has been the largest cost. We like to provide a local, organic, fair-trade lunch to stick with the theme of the conference.

Climate Change Connection will share costs with host schools. In the past, the average cost to the school was 0$-$750.